Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has been accused of being a “fiery” and “resplendent” figure who likes to “hog the limelight” by a royal expert.
According to Kevin O’Sullivan, a TV host and commentator, Meghan’s personality and career aspirations are in contrast with Prince Harry’s more “practical” and “modest” approach to his royal role and legacy.
According to a report by Mirroronline, O’Sullivan made these remarks on Talk TV, where he discussed the couple’s recent appearance at the Invictus Games in Germany.
The Invictus Games is a sporting event for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans, founded by Prince Harry in 2014. O’Sullivan claimed that the couple used the games to “polish their image” and “repair their reputation” after their controversial exit from the royal family and their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey.
O’Sullivan also cited details from Prince Harry’s upcoming memoir, “Spare”, which is set to be released in January 2023. According to The Telegraph, which published excerpts from the book, Prince Harry revealed that his father, King Charles III, did not want to financially support him and Meghan after they stepped back as senior royals. Harry wrote that Charles was concerned that Meghan would take the limelight away from him and his wife, Camilla, Queen Consort, as Princess Diana did in the past.
“He had experienced that before and he had no interest in letting it happen to him again,” Harry wrote, according to The Telegraph.
O’Sullivan argued that Meghan’s ambition and popularity were a threat to the royal family and its stability. He asked Carla Speight, a PR expert who was also on the show, “Does Meghan Markle like to hog the limelight at all?”
Speight defended Meghan and said that the accusation was “unfair”. She said that Meghan was simply supporting her husband in a charity that he was passionate about. She also said that Meghan was no more attention-seeking than Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, who is married to Prince William, the heir apparent.
“I think that’s a bit unfair,” Speight said. “No more so than Kate does in a situation when she and William are together.”
Speight also pointed out that the comparison between Meghan and Kate was “huge” and that the media portrayed William and Kate as “saintly” figures who were preparing to be the future king and queen. She said that Meghan and Harry faced more criticism and scrutiny because they chose a different path and lifestyle.
“It’s the saintly version they are presenting [of the Prince and Princess of Wales]. I have no problem with that,” Speight said. “However, Meghan shows up at the Invictus games, and the press claims she’s making it all about her.”
Meghan and Harry have been living in California since early 2020, where they have signed lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotify. They have also launched their own foundation, Archewell, which aims to promote compassion and wellbeing around the world. The couple has two children, Archie and Lilibet, who are seventh and eighth in line to the throne respectively.
